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Interlocutory appeal from interim arbitration ruling not permitted

A district court erred by prematurely entertaining an interlocutory challenge to an ongoing arbitration proceeding. Savers Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburg, PA,Nos. 13-2288, 13-2289 (6th Cir. Apr. 9, 2014). One party to the arbitration raised multiple objections to the arbitrators’ procedural rulings, including allegations of arbitrator misconduct and partiality. The district court enjoined the proceedings, but the appellate court reversed. The court of appeals concluded that based upon the text, structure and purpose of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), the district erred in entertaining an interlocutory challenge to an ongoing arbitration proceeding. Parties to an arbitration generally may not challenge the fairness of the proceedings or the partiality of the arbitrators until the conclusion of the arbitration and the rendition of a final award.